In the history of Metal there have been quite a few bands for whom Metal was more than just playing loud. Metal was an outlet for not just bringing out their pent-up frustrations but also taking on political and social issues. Sodom is one such band. Formed in 1982 they have come a long way from being regarded as a "second-rate Venom with semi-inventive lyrics" to becoming an enormously influential Thrash Metal band. Well, staying on the topic of being regarded as a "second-rate Venom," it was justified to consider them as such during the early stages of their career. All of this would change with the inclusion of their new guitar player - Frank "Blackfire" Gosdzik. He had succeeded in convincing Tom Angelripper to change the lyrical direction of Sodom and to embrace political, social and war themes. This would culminate into Persecution Mania in 1987. The infamous gas-masked mascot of Sodom - "Knarrenheinz" would also make his debut appearance here.